Changing the disability climate: promoting tolerance in the workplace.

Disability climate is a key determinant of the successful integration of individuals with disabilities into the work force and a major influence on the level of occupational stress experienced by this population. Industry-specific attitudes regarding disabilities have an effect on disability climate as perceived by workers, as do formal and informal policies, procedures, and practices. Occupational health nurses can impact organizational disability climates through implementation of disability climate programs, thus improving workplace conditions for workers with disabilities and reducing occupational stress.